Public Perception of the Effectiveness of Seven Counterterrorism Practices

Abstract:

This thesis focuses on public perception of the effectiveness of seven counterterrorism
practices and policies. Using a survey of undergraduate and graduate students from 2005,
this study examines two research questions: 1) Does the public believe specific
counterterrorism strategies—installing video surveillance cameras in public places,
conducting bag and package searches on planes, trains, subways and buses, monitoring
internet communications, examining financial statements, monitoring telephone
communications, reviewing library records and examining medical records—are
effective, and 2) What factors influence perceptions of effectiveness? The results indicate
that a vast majority of respondents believe that the practices are effective, with the
exception of reviewing library records and examining medical records. Findings from
multivariate analyses suggest that confidence in the government to prevent terrorism is a
key predictor of perceived effectiveness across all seven practices.